Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno, has voiced serious concerns about Nigeria’s electoral system, criticizing it for being overly complicated to allow for manipulation.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Kano after attending a Senate retreat on constitutional review, the former Senate Majority Leader supported local government autonomy and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take over local government elections. He expressed opposition to the proposed creation of a National Local Government Electoral Commission, calling it unnecessary.
“I don’t support creating a new body just to conduct elections every four years. INEC is underutilized and can take on this role,” Ndume argued. He went on to criticize the complexity of Nigeria’s electoral process, suggesting it was deliberately designed to encourage manipulation.
“Elections in Nigeria are made complicated to allow for manipulation. Why don’t we make laws that ensure votes count? Why not enable citizens to vote from their phones? INEC could easily leverage technology to monitor elections in real-time,” Ndume stated. He emphasized the need for sincerity, honesty, and fear of God among Nigeria’s political leaders as the real solution to electoral reform.
Ndume also addressed the pressing issue of corruption in Nigeria, lamenting how those who engage in corrupt practices often enjoy freedom and public admiration. He recounted his efforts to pass a law targeting unexplained wealth, which has repeatedly faced resistance in the National Assembly.
“Our country’s major challenge is corruption. We don’t have any proactive law addressing it. When people who were poor suddenly buy cars and private jets, they are celebrated, instead of questioned,” Ndume remarked. He shared his disappointment in failing to push through a bill on unexplained wealth, even after seeking support from a former Head of State.
To date, Nigeria lacks an Unexplained Wealth Act or any executive order to curb the rapid rise of suspicious wealth in the country, according to the senator.
